Mayor John Tory visited a downtown intersection during the morning rush hour on Tuesday to get a first-hand look at how well a new project aimed at easing gridlock is working.
As part of a pilot project that began on Monday, police officers have been placed at eight key intersections at peak times to help improve the flow of traffic.
The pilot project is expected to run for the next four weeks. Another four-week trial will then be held in the fall.
“To me it is just a mystery as to why we haven’t gotten around to doing this until now,” Tory told CP24, as he watched the flow of traffic at Front Street and University Avenue. “This is so routinely used in places like Chicago, New York and Vancouver. I think it will be a huge step forward just in terms of managing traffic and keeping pedestrians safe.”
The pilot project is part of the second phase of the city’s congestion management plan.
Though police officers are being used for the initiative now, Tory said he hopes the province will introduce legislative changes that will allow the city to use civilian employees instead.
“The cost of that would be way cheaper than a fully trained police officer,” he said.
The eight intersections that are part of the pilot project are:
- Bay Street and Queen Street
- Front Street and Simcoe Street
- Lake Shore Boulevard Parklawn Road
- Sheppard Avenue and Yonge Street
- Bay Street and Bloor Street
- University Avenue and Adelaide Street
- Bay Street from Bloor Street to Front Street
- Front Street and University Avenue
